You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 3:57 p.m.

Former Michigan basketball player Tim McCormick

By Michael Rothstein

Welcome to "Catching Up With..." an occasional feature here at AnnArbor.com where we chat with someone who used to be involved with Michigan athletics. If there's someone you'd like to see AnnArbor.com catch up with, e-mail us at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com.

Our latest guest is former Michigan basketball player Tim McCormick, a former McDonald's All-American and MVP of the 1984 NIT. He then played in the NBA from 1985-92.

Michael Rothstein: What have you been up to?

Tim McCormick: “I live in West Bloomfield with my wife and two kids. I work for the NBA Players Association, do a lot of broadcasting and I follow a lot of Michigan sports. It’s been a lot of fun. I’m enjoying my life.”

MR: Is the broadcasting and Players Association stuff what you thought you’d go in to?

TM: “I had wanted to be a broadcaster. I also do a lot of corporate speaking and seminars. I like that the fact that I can do a lot of different things. Maybe the greatest thing is that my basketball season is very busy but in the spring I get a chance to be home with my family a lot. I coach my son’s AAU basketball team and help out with my daughter’s volleyball. I have the best of many worlds.”

MR: The coaching, is that just a fun thing or is that something you see yourself doing later on?

TM: “I’ve absolutely love coaching and I have always intrigued with making someone better as a player. I was surrounded by really good coaches. Pat Riley really inspired me a lot and has always been a role model. Growing up I loved Bo Schembechler. The whole coaching concept is something I’m very intrigued with. I don’t like the obsessive nature of the business where you don’t get to raise your kids as much as you like. But I’m not going to rule out the fact that some day I might want to coach once my kids get older, get to college and don’t want to hang out with me anymore. Maybe it’s something I would be interested in.”

MR: You mentioned the broadcasting. What’s the best game you’ve called?

TM: “Wow. I always enjoyed, for several years I broadcast several NCAA games on radio and had some really fun games. But I just always have enjoyed broadcasting Michigan games the most, it doesn’t matter which one. I’m a lifelong Michigan guy and the opportunity to broadcast in Crisler Arena is always memorable.”

MR: Of the NCAA tournament games, which ones stand out?

TM: “Butler beat Florida a few years back, I believe it was in Chicago. That was one that jumped out at me. It was just the environment. It was my first time broadcasting an NCAA game and that was just exciting.”

TIM MCCORMICK ON HIS NBA CAREER:

MR: Do all the games, broadcasting-wise, just kind of blur at some point?

TM: “Yeah. And I have broadcast so many that they do. You don’t remember the players, necessarily, but each game is its own entity and I always try to spend a lot of time and tell a lot of stories and I’ve been doing it for nearly 20 years. I’ve broadcast NBA games, I’ve broadcast for ESPN, broadcast NBA games for ESPN. I’ve done a lot of different, Raycom and ESPN and Versus and ABC sports. It’s been a really fun journey.”

MR: What do you think of Michigan this year?

TM: “I’m really excited because this has been a real journey. I can remember the Brian Ellerbe era and all the frustrations Tommy Amaker had and all the restrictions that were placed on him through loss in scholarship and all the negatives. I finally feel like Michigan basketball is where it needs to be and John Beilein’s system and his integrity, personality and coaching ability offers sustainability. I think Michigan is going to be really good and I love the fact that we’ve got really good kids in this program. I can remember for the longest time when I met players and thought ‘Man, there’s nobody on this team who will recruit.’ This is a team where you have 13 or 14 captains, really hardworking guys who want to win and what their job is, they love Michigan. When families and recruits come in, you know they are going to get a real good representation of the University and recruits are going to say I love the family environment. This is a place I want to play.”

Previous Catching Up With...: C.J. Kupec, David Brandt

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.

Comments

treetowncartel

Thu, Nov 5, 2009 : 4 p.m.

Tim and Greg Kelser would make a great coaching combination, these guys know matchups.